It’s been six years, but next Monday, Shaun returns as host to one of the most popular TV shows he’s ever been a part of: Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation. But this time, it’s on a new television station with three new team captains. Watch the promo.

Shaun spoke to us about the return (Monday 21st 7:30pm, Channel Nine)

TAYG coming back is a bit of a surprise. Were you surprised that you got back involved?

It’s always been asked after, for us to come back. But as the years passed, we thought “oh, it’s gone now.”

The original idea was to just to do a reunion show. But for some reason, there was no opportunity to do that. Nine asked “would you be interested in doing [a new version] over here.”

I wasn’t really interested in doing it without the original cast; that was the point, that the reunion would be fun. Then I helped out with the casting, because they were going to do it anyway, and they did the captains and were looking for a host, so I said I’d come in, and it was quite fun, in a different way.

It’s quite different, as you’d expect. When it was Amanda, Charlie and Josh, they were new, and I was new, and we were getting to know each other, and getting used to it, and that created a really interesting dynamic. This new incarnation, I know the people a bit more, and in a different way. It’s kind of the same ingredients, but it’s being used to make a pudding instead of a risotto – it’s quite strange.

Do you think it’s something you might continue to revisit?

We’ll see how it goes, it’s not really my decision – it was fun to do though, it was great.

But if it works out well, and is continued in some form, would you be interested?

We’re drawing towards the final 1/4 of Season 8 of Mad As Hell, with the tenth episode airing tonight, and thirteen episodes all up.
But – not to despair! Shaun has confirmed that there will be another block of thirteen starting in September.
(Plus there’s eight episodes of TAYG coming mid-year, but more about that later…)
So there will be Shaun on Australian TV for 65% of the year! (as a minimum requirement it should be).

All those numbers got you confused?
Basically, there’s lots of good television to enjoy this year.

For the first time since 2015, Mad As Hell is returning at the start of the ratings year – January 31st – for its EIGHTH season! This will be the first at the new studios in Southbank, Melbourne, where the ABC has consolidated all its television and radio production in Victoria. But the whole team has moved across, so expect arguably the best satirical show on Australian TV to continue where it left off.

In 2015, Comedian Lawrence Leung took his successful stage show about a young Asian-Australian turning against all of his parents expectations to become a travelling conman, and turned it into a movie: Sucker!

The main cast includes Timothy Spall, John Luc, Lily Sullivan, Kat Stewart, Lawrence Leung and Jacek Korman. Shaun plays the small role of Harry, a bug-eyed second-hand record store proprietor.

If you missed it when it was released, Sucker is airing on Channel 11, Tuesday 9th January at 8:30pm.

On Thursday night, we’ll be treated to a sort-of-Micallef double-header, with the finale of Series 2 of The Ex-PM on ABC at 8:30pm, where Dugdale goes head-to-head in a debate with his political rival.

Following it will be a special on the ABC Ripponlea studios, which closed this year, after being home to many classic TV shows for 50+ years. The last show to be filmed there, which will feature throughout the special, was Mad As Hell. Expect to see some behind the scenes footage and an interview with Shaun.

During the filming of series 2 of The Ex-PM earlier this year, I had the pleasure of visiting the set and meeting some of the cast.

The administration building where Dugdale’s campaign headquarters was set

The main filming location was not actually in the Darling Downs, Queensland, but at the former rail workshops in Newport, Victoria. In fact, Dugdale’s campaign head quarters, and all the rooms they use as their offices, were in a former administration building on site, complete in its dilapidated glory.

Some of the nearby maintenance sheds were used to build and shoot specific sets, such as the prison sets in the Justice episode.

Outside sat Dugdale’s campaign bus, which unfortunately, actually broke down during filming and had to be towed away!

The crew were really accommodating and friendly, and I watched as they filmed a scene from “Image”, where the whole cast gathered in Dugdale’s office to talk about his upcoming media appearances while Rita trimmed his nose hairs. It was a complicated shot, and involved six camera angles, which was three different setups using the two cameras in the small room – it was a real room, not just a set!

I was also grateful for the opportunity to talk to Shaun, Francis and the one and only John Clarke, who was very giving of his time to talk about social media presence and the future of the ABC. He was ever bit as personable as everyone remembered.

If you’re enjoying Series 2, enjoy some of the behind the scenes photos.

We’re nearly ready for Series 2 of The Ex-PM – it starts this Thursday 8:30pm on the ABC.

Andrew Dugdale (Shaun), once the longest serving Prime Minister, is returning to politics, and standing for election in the seat of Darling Downs in regional Australia. He’s aided by his wife, daughter, agent, personal assistant, driver, security detail and ghost-writer – so what can go wrong?

Dugdale will be back on the hustings, seeking every publicity opportunity he can to get himself back into the public eye.

White Rabbit, Red Rabbit is a play where the actor has no idea what the script is before they perform it, on stage, for the first time, in front of the audience. Shaun was that actor tonight at the Melbourne Arts Centre, improvising between lines on the written page and playing with the audience as the script dictated.

It was a darker play than expected, but thought provoking, and always good to see Shaun playing it up on stage – hopefully we’ll see him do something more like it soon.

In the midst of writing, editing and starring in two TV shows, Shaun has whipped up a new book for our grubby little hands.

Once upon a time being, forever and ever ago, there lived a forest tall of tales … ? When an innocent princess wanders into the forest, she finds herself trapped between a wolf with a ravenous appetite and a sweet little house with a secret. Meanwhile, a desperate fisherman enters into a very bad bargain with a power-hungry monkey. And meanerwhile still, a tiny tricksy tailor promises a promise that not even the most magic of beanstalks can help him escape.

In the same style as those he used to invent for his kids, Shaun has written woven traditional fairy stories into new and surprising adventures. It’s aimed at “tweens”, but there’s something to enjoy for any fan of Shaun’s style or work. I’m a good part through it, and it’s fun and meandering; and not as much of a mind-bend as his previous novels.

The stunning illustrations are throughout by award-winning artist Jonathan Bentley.